Fern Forest Nature Center

This Nature Center offers a beautiful and serene setting for a wide variety of special events or just a calm place to relax away from the urban hustle and bustle.  With a picnic shelter, amphitheater, and banquet hall, Fern Forest's facilities are a perfect choice for weddings, corporate events, and family gatherings. 

Besides the beautiful amenities of the park, Fern Forest Nature Center has many activities that include all ages.  Tours and activities can be arranged for any group. 

A little history...Acquired from the Palm Aire Corporation in 1979 with funds from the 1978 bond issue, this 247.1-acre site, previously known as Cypress Creek Hammock, was named for the abundance of ferns (more than 30 species) found on the property.  The proposed four-lane road that originally threatened to destroy this wilderness was eventually built along the edge of Florida's Turnpike.  Approximately 10 acres of this park, which was opened in 1985, were developed, leaving the rest devoted to native habitat, which is accessible only by way of specifically routed trails and boardwalks.  Fern Forest Nature Center has been designated as an Urban Wilderness Area by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners.

Fern Forest Features:

• Nature Center Exhibit Area - contains interpretive exhibits of the park’s historical and natural history.  Native reptiles and information on display.
• Assembly Hall - a 2,343-square-foot (120 capacity), air-conditioned assembly hall with kitchen and buffet counter.   Available by reservation for meetings, receptions, etc.  Reservation fee and deposit required.
• Amphitheater - covered and open on three sides (120 capacity).  Available for weddings, concerts, etc.  Reservation fee and deposit required.
• Fern Lore Guardian Sculpture - located at back of the nature center at the start of all the trails.   This bronze and wood sculpture was created by Jerome Meadows and installed at the park in December 1993 by the Public Art and Design Program.
• Picnic Area - Six picnic tables available on a first-come, first-served basis.   No fires or grills permitted.
• Shelter - Medium-sized covered shelter (capacity 40), with eight picnic tables, water, electricity, and lights.   Reservation fee and deposit required.

Volunteer Opportunities

There are many interesting opportunities for volunteer service at Fern Forest.  Volunteer opportunities available include: native plant restoration/exotic removal, environmental education, clerical work, special events, trail upkeep, and trail interpretation.  We are happy to work with you to find a good fit for your interests and schedule. The volunteers meet periodically for training and social events.  The Fern Allies, the center’s volunteer organization, contributes greatly to the operation of the nature center. 

Eco-Action Day is our volunteer workday on the first Saturday of every month between October and May from 9 a.m. to noon.  This is a great opportunity for students to get service hours.  All participants must bring a completed workday application and a photo I.D. to the workday.  For more information please call 954-970-0150.

Environmental Programming and Scouts

Getting people of all ages involved in appreciation of nature is the focus of many of the programs at Fern Forest.  Opportunities include activities for boy and girl scouts, children's programs (PDF - 25KB), school field trips, private group tours, special events and more. Please call the nature center at 954-970-0150 for more details and reservations. 

Boardwalks and Trails

• Entrance Boardwalk- walkway from parking lot to the nature center and trails.    There is an information gazebo at the entrance to the boardwalk.
• Cypress Creek Trail- a half-mile wheelchair accessible boardwalk through a tropical hardwood hammock, cypress-maple swamp, and transitional communities.  A self-guided trail booklet is available at the office for a nominal fee.
• Butterfly Bridge - a bridge overlooking the main rewatering canal that is home to many aquatic animals.  This provides access to the foot trails.
• Prairie Overlook Trail - a one-mile ground level trail that loops through an open prairie and a slash pine, oak and palm community.
• Prairie Overlook - a raised covered observation pavilion overlooking the prairie.   Handicapped-accessible with staff assistance.
• Maple Walk Trail -a one-third mile trail through a red maple swamp. The trail may be wet and boots are recommended.
• Wetland Wonder Trail - a one-eighth-mile foot trail paralleling a canal highlighting a wetland community and a butterfly garden.  The south trail leads you to the Prairie Overlook trail.

Banquets, Parties and Weddings

Reserving a date for a facility requires the filling out of a permit and payment in full at time of booking.  We accept cash, check, and credit cards (Discover, MasterCard, and Visa).  A driver’s license is needed for identification verification.  No building or shelter is considered reserved until payment is made.  The deposit is due in cash on the day of the event and can be picked up on the Monday following the event.

Capacities:

• Banquet Hall:  175 auditorium-style seating (no tables)
• Banquet Hall:  120 for a sit-down dinner w/dance floor
• Amphitheater: 125
• Picnic Shelter: 40
• Parking Spaces:  90 plus four handicapped spaces

Facility Hours: (Click here for park hours)

• Banquet Hall - Mondays-Thursdays:  9 a.m. – 4 p.m.   
• Banquet Hall -  Fridays-Sundays and holidays:  8:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
• Shelter - Mondays-Fridays:  9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Shelter - Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays:  8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Reservation Fees (Click here). All reservations require a cash deposit on the day of use. The deposit is due to park staff at the nature center office, on the day of the event, prior to any setup activity.  The deposit will be available for pickup on the Monday following the event, if the facility has been sufficiently cleaned in the estimation of the park staff. Nothing is allowed to remain in the facility overnight following the event.    Failure to clean the facility properly or violation of park rules will result in the loss of the deposit.  Any property damaged by the rental or guests will be replaced/repaired by the party to at least equal value of the property.  The police will be called if permit holder fails to adhere to permit time-frames (especially at the end of the permit) and policies, and will result in the loss of the security deposit.  *Cancellation fee also applies.

*To cancel a facility use and request a refund, the permit holder must submit in writing the cancellation request along with the permit number, date of the canceled event, name of permit holder, address, telephone number and, initial payment form (cash, check, credit card).  Other than credit card refunds, the time-frame to receive your refund check can be up to eight weeks.

Setup/Decorations

If decorations are to be used, they must be attached with string or tape only (no double-sided tape is allowed).  There are hooks along all the beams in the ceiling for ease of hanging decorations.  Staples, nails, tacks, and other items that penetrate surfaces are prohibited.  Please do not hang items from the ceiling fans.  All tape and articles posted must be removed completely within the contracted time period. 

• Glitter, sequins, and candles are prohibited.
• Loading area is for dropoff and pickup use only.  All vehicles must be moved to the public parking area immediately thereafter.
• Only the following items are available to rental parties:  chairs, tables, buffet counter, stove/oven (for reheating purposes only), microwave, ice maker and refrigerator.
• At weddings, please use birdseed or bubbles instead of rice or silk flower petals and use only outside the Assembly Hall.

The rental facility may be used for most activities.  Any unusual activity or equipment (i.e., butterfly releases, plant displays, theatrical productions, and themed events) must be approved by the park manage

Music and Entertainment

Deejays and bands are allowed to provide entertainment at your event.  During park hours we ask that you keep the volume moderate so as not to interfere with the enjoyment of other park patrons.  Park staff will advise if volume is too loud.

Alcoholic Beverages

Beer, wine and champagne are allowed, but hard liquor is prohibited.  Park staff has the authority to confiscate any hard liquor found or to question suspicious behavior.  Staff will notify the permit holder or designee and if violations continue, the police will be called.  Permit holders are responsible for the actions of their guests.

Catering

All commercial caterers must provide a copy of their Board of Health Food Handlers Permit and a Certificate of Insurance to the Broward County Parks and Recreation Safety Section two weeks prior to the event.  Please see enclosed handout for liability requirements.  The permit holder is responsible for the caterer’s personnel, vehicles, and equipment and compliance with all policies, rules, and regulations.  All foods must come prepared.  No on-site cooking is permitted.  Stove, oven, and microwave are for reheating purposes only. There is no grilling allowed anywhere in the park. If friends and family provide the food, no additional insurance is needed.  All food and beverages must remain in the Assembly Hall. 

Smoking

There is no smoking in any County buildings per County Ordinance 95-281.  Designated smoking areas are located just outside the Assembly Hall and at the back of the building on the first floor.   Please have your guests deposit their cigarette butts in the appropriate cigarette receptacles.

Parking

All vehicles must park in the parking lot.  Any other arrangements must be approved by park management prior to the event and noted on the permit.

Pets

Pets are not allowed within the boundaries of the nature center. 

Conduct

The permit holder must take all necessary steps to control all participants.  Children attending rental events must be supervised at all times.  Any person or persons violating Facility Rental or Park Rules and Regulations or, in the opinion of the park management, constituting a public nuisance or potential hazard to public or park property, or exhibiting disorderly conduct, shall be served notice by park staff and expelled without refund from park property.

*No subcontracting on any permit is allowed.  This will result in the immediate revocation of the permit involved.

For more information, contact:

Fern Forest Nature Center
201 Lyons Road South
Coconut Creek, FL 33063
Phone: 954-970-0150
Fax: 954-970-0111
E-mail: Fernforest@broward.org

We also invite you to visit our other Broward County Parks.

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